When should you see an ophthalmologist? 12 warning signs

Most eye symptoms are benign. A small number are sight-threatening and time-critical. This is how I triage them.

Same day — go to eye casualty or call us urgently

1. Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, even if it recovers.

2. A curtain or shadow moving across your field of vision — possible retinal detachment.

3. A sudden shower of new floaters, especially with flashing lights.

4. A painful, red eye with blurred vision — possible acute glaucoma or uveitis.

5. Vision loss with severe headache or scalp tenderness over the age of 50 — possible giant cell arteritis.

6. Chemical splash or penetrating injury — irrigate immediately and attend A&E.

Within a few weeks — book an ophthalmologist

7. Double vision that is new or changing.

8. Progressive glare and halos at night, faded colours, or repeated changes of spectacle prescription — classic cataract symptoms.

9. A family history of glaucoma with no recent pressure or field testing — see our glaucoma service.

10. Diabetes with any change in vision — retinal screening is not the same as an ophthalmology review.

11. A persistent lump, ptosis or lesion on the eyelid.

12. Chronic gritty, burning, watering eyes unresponsive to drops — see medical ophthalmology and eye conditions.

When it is not urgent but still worth an appointment

If glasses or contact lenses are limiting your work, sport or travel, a refractive assessment tells you in one visit whether laser eye surgery or lens replacement suits your eyes — and whether neither does.

How quickly can you be seen?

Most private appointments across our UK network happen within 5–7 working days, and urgent symptoms are prioritised the same week. Find your nearest site on the locations page, or read more about seeing a consultant ophthalmologist privately.

Request an appointment or call 020 3137 3237.